Mezuzah

A woman I work with asked me to make a mezuzah as a wedding gift for an orthodox Jewish couple. It’s figured maple and the design is like a Torah roller, which is used with Torah scrolls. It’s about five inches long and the inside is about three and a half inches (I don’t remember the measurements). The character is a silver letter shin which is the first letter in the name of God The mezuzah is hollow and contains a parchment scroll inside, and I used a box ring to access it.

I went through several versions to be able to open the mezuzah because it’s really important to protect the parchment inside. The store bought ones use a brass insert that have a slot to unscrew it and I spent a long time trying to find something similar to adapt for the purpose, like cutting down a silicon wine stopper but it was too wobbly. I haven’t tried thread chasing yet so that wasn’t an option.

Jews have mezuzahs at an angle on the right side of doorways into rooms that are lived in, and some Jews just have them outside the front door only. The parchment contains verses from the Torah and it needs to be inspected for damage at least twice in seven years so it needs to be opened. Here’s a link for more information: http://www.judaica-guide.com/mezuzah/

I have no idea how many hours I spent on this and I was often worried about giving the scroll a safe container and the proper respect it needs. But it was all worth it. I’m going to keep looking for the hardware and I’d like to try using veneers; I have some brass curls that I’d like to embed as the letter shin. I have lots of ideas . . .

As an aside, your concern does you credit, but you really don’t have to worry too much about protecting the scroll that will be inserted. Assuming that that the mezuzah will be placed out side, they are typically attached to a door frame that is under some cover. You seem to have created a well sealed container that should keep out the elements. If it’s placed indoors, you should be fine.

Also, either the sofer (ritual scribe) who provides the scroll, or the owner of the home can seal the parchment in plastic wrap (saran, etc.) and some tape. That’s been a standard practice for a generation. Every couple of years, when the scroll is inspected, the wrap is replaced. The parchment and ink is actually very resilient.